Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Buckaroo will repeat his Memsie Stakes run when he returns for an autumn campaign at Caulfield.
Jockey Jye Mcneil will reunite with Cox Plate placegetter Buckaroo when he has the first run of his autumn campaign at Caulfield.
Buckaroo makes his return in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday with McNeil in the saddle.
McNeil has ridden Buckaroo just once in 31 starts for the gelding, who competed in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Saturday’s course and distance last spring.
Buckaroo surprised by finishing third behind Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside in that race before taking placings in the Underwood Stakes, the Might And Power and Cox Plate – all at Group 1 level – before finishing last in the Melbourne Cup.
In those four outings after the Memsie Stakes, Buckaroo had four different riders: Blake Shinn, James Mcdonald, Mark Zahra and Craig Williams.
Buckaroo has had two trials in Sydney in preparation for his return and visited Caulfield on Tuesday morning, where McNeil was on board.
“Last campaign I ran him first in the Memsie over the same distance and he surprised a few people by running really well,” said McNeil.
“He came third behind Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside, and if he can put in a performance like that I think the team would be very happy.
“He seems fantastic at the job he did. I didn’t help him in the last campaign but he seems very good.”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be working with him, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity on Saturday.”
McNeil said Buckaroo would not be deterred by the likelihood of a track upgrade on Saturday to the Good 4 to be presented when racing begins.
“The track was on the firm side Tuesday morning, but we didn’t do too much, we just held it together and he felt fine,” said McNeil.
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